Yesterday I blogged about new techno fashion platform, Fashism, and how a design duo called Timo Weiland cleverly used the platform to publicise pieces from their Fall 2011 collection, which had debuted hours earlier at New York Fashion Week.
Hailed as the next big thing in fashion, young duo Alan Eckstein and Timo Weiland are keeping themselves busy wowing fashion-lovers and editors alike with their eclectic style. Their menswear basically takes all the best things I’ve seen men wearing on street style blogs over the past two years and combines them to produce a collection of enviable, wearable pieces that I’d love to see on any boyfriend of mine. I love the way they revise menswear classics like the plaid shirt and the double breasted jacket with memorable, quirky details and head-turning shapes.
I love this interview they did with Grungy Gentleman so much, that I’m borrowing it.
How did you get into fashion?
I have always had interest in art, music, style, personality, and culture. Travel played a big part as well. Especially travel to music festivals and the Cannes Marche du Film.
How would you describe your aesthetic and what type of guy wears Timo Weiland?
Clever, witty, well-traveled, original, confident, quirky, and inquisitive. He is a spontaneous creature of habit.
The Grungy Gentleman has recently become a huge fan of your line. The buzz is out there! From NYFW to features alongside Simon Spurr, etc. Why do you think your brand has evolved at such a rapid pace?
We are clear-minded and never stray from the vision that we have. Timeline hasn’t really been a limiting factor or a gauge of any kind for us. We keep our heads focused and our ideas in-tact regardless of what else is happening with other brands and trends.
It is absolutely amazing how you are able to mix texture, pattern, color, and yet make it all look cohesive. What is your secret?
TW: We act naturally, meaning we design in a way what feels natural to us. The secret is that not everything we make is sensible at the start. The collection evolves into a cohesive entity from season to season because of our common palette story and texture pad. Colors become surrogate family after out-of-the-ordinary pairings fall into place.
Where did you get the inspiration for you fall collection?
AE: The fall 2010 collection was entitled “Pageantry and Ceremonial Splendor”. The inspiration was basically English transplants to New York in the 1960s, the rolling stones and their birds. Gangs of New York meets The Age of Innocence.
Having your first fashion show at 27 years old is quite an accomplishment and a huge amount of responsibility. What can we expect from Timo Weiland for his debut at NYFW? What are you most excited about?
TW: The team is very excited for the first show in the “tents” at Lincoln Center for the inaugural season in this new locale. You can expect the unexpected twist on setting as we will definitely turn the organization of the space on its head and open up new mediums of expression to showcase the collection. The show actually began last weekend when we shot our short art film collaboration at the MOMA PS1 with performance artist Ryan McNamara (who is featured in Vogue September Issue this month).
What other men’s lines are you a fan of?
TW: Dries Van Noten, Lanvin, Patrik Ervell, Jil Sander, Marni, Opening Ceremony, Commes des Garcons, Yves Saint Laurent, Adam Kimmel, and Band of Outsiders.
What should everybody know about Timo? Wallets?
TW: Timo! Wallets is how I learned how to use a sewing machine and express myself through sewn-product manufacturing. It is a wonderful, energetic, small accessory brand that specializes in travel goods. Timo! Wallets has been a hobby since I was 17 and only became a business when I realized that there was a niche market for the product last year. I always like putting my own twist on things. Some of the wallets are viewable with 3-D glasses.
Are there any collaborations in the works?
AE: We collaborated this season with George Esquivel shoes, Albertus Swanepoel Hats, Bing Bang Jewelry by Anna Sheffield, and other things that are in the works. We did a private label accessory collaboration with Urban Outfitters under the names of our siblings David (Eckstein) and Page (Weiland), so “David Page” for Urban Outfitters.
What can we expect next from Timo Weiland?
TW: Something bright in bold colors, but slightly weathered and nautical. There is something self-indulgent and fun about it all. The Spring 2011 title of collection / project is “A Wharf on the Baltic” and the film collaboration is called “The Watch.”
Check out their Fall 2011 collection (and their womenswear!) here.
The Pessimiss 